orchid bark

[lockedfree]

Hi everyone, I am the proud new owner of a female columbian boa about 1 and 1/2 months old. I have selected orchid bark which is very fine and soft for the substrate, and soon after began to worry if it was a poor choice. I noticed when I take the snake out, there is bark dust all over my hands. Is this dust harmful to the snake if it gets under her scales?

Incidentally, yesterday I noticed a small, 1 inch cut lengthwise in the scales of her belly about halfway up from the tail. It appears the cut goes no deeper than the scales, and there is no blood so I think it happened sometime before I bought her (I bought her at a reptile show, not at a pet store).

Positive note is that she has already eaten and did not regurgitate. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

Also, does anyone know if the brown/red on the end of her tail will get darker as she matures, or does coloring stay the same?
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	regurgitate Throw up. Reptiles will regurge when they feel they are in danger or if they have some sort of health issue. If your reptile has regurgitated his/her food please seek help!

[RoYaL_619]

well since you dont really know if the cut was their when you bought it, you should try changing the substate, though i dont think it would cause the cut. as for the dust i dont tihink it will harm your boa. but next time you put bark in your tank use your hands to put it in not dumping the bark out of the bag. i hope this helps you
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[lockedfree]

Hey Royal, you are from san diego - I am too [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] What kind of snake do you have?

I wonder how many other people here are from SD [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img]
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[BWSmith]

I am not familiar with Orchid Bark. I thought Orchid was just a flower [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img] But I do try to stay away from dusty substrates such as Hardwood Mulch. I dont like my snakes inhaling dust like that.
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[SteveP]

My criticism about "orchid" (or graded Douglas fir bark) is it's not very absorbant for the urates the snake puts out. Generally their body fluids go right thru the bark to the bottom of the tank where it puddles and then stinks after a little while. Some of the bark can be pretty dusty, especially if it's bagged near the end of the batch. If you decide to continue to use it I would screen and rinse some of the dust out of it. Personally I use aspen shavings, and found that to be one of the better medias out here on the left coast. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

Oh, and welcome to RTB!!!
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Nature...the original Master Planned Community!

[telefrag]

The cut you are probably seeing is the scar from where the umbillicus was attached before the snake was born.
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[SteveP]

I forgot about the cut on the belly and was just coming back to discuss it when I saw Telefrag addressed it (thanks bud!)...and likewise agree! In my warped view of things on occaision I liken it to the baby snakes 'belly-button'!

Generally speaking, the color on the tail stays pretty much the same as they get older. What ya see is what ya get. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

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Nature...the original Master Planned Community!

[telefrag]

[img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]
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[lockedfree]

Well thanks, its good to know it's just a bellybutton and not an injury. Maybe it will go away then? It's the first time I've seen one on a snake, although i havent exactly gone around inspecting boid bellies.

Can anyone suggest another substrate? .........and please don't say newspaper (ugly) or astroturf (what a pain to sanitize)

thanks
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[morti]

Hi there!

What I do when I occasionally decide to use a dusty substrate is get a big window screen and pour all the substrate out onto it. I then sift it to remove some of the dust, and spray it to remove any pestacides that may remain on it.

Orchid bark is the same stuff that you get in some of the comercially sold substrate blends like reptibark and lizard litter. It is very dusty.

Depending on the species of your snake, I think the "cut" you are seeing is actually the snake's practical belly button. that is what is left of the opening where the umbilical cord was. If it is right in the center of the belly, that is what I am leaning toward.

Have fun!
-Morti.
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